Energy sourced from the ground

Greenmeadow Community Farm is one of the latest projects in Wales to complete the installation of a ground source heat pump, reducing the use of fossil fuels on site.

Made possible thanks to Welsh Government Energy Services’ local Authority Low Carbon Heat Grant, Torfaen Council received a grant of £1,560,763 for the project. Work on the installation began in May 2024 and was completed in March 2025.

Set to re-open later this year, the farm has been undergoing an extensive transformation aimed at securing the future of the popular visitor attraction. The ground source heat pump install is just part of the wider transformation that includes a renovation and slate roof conservatory extension to the original farmhouse, which dates back to 1752. This will significantly extend the café facilities and enable the site to be open to both the general public as well as farm visitors.

A new animal barn is also being developed, as well as new indoor and outdoor adventure play facilities and improvements to the wider visitor experience. Accessibility will be improved across the site through resurfaced pathways, accessible toilets and the installation of a lift.

With the ambition to improve sustainability, efficiency and minimise the environmental impact of the farm, a ground source heat pump was used to replace the existing natural gas-fired boilers. The heat pump is expected to result in Lifetime carbon savings of 201 tCO2e, which is equal to the annual emissions from heating and powering 59 homes in Wales.

Sam Wright-Green, Development Manager, Welsh Government Energy Service

“Greenmeadow Farm is a fantastic example of a site suitable for ground source heat pumps. The land surrounding the buildings acts as the source of heat, and the existing solar array on the roof provides some of the electricity needed to power the new heating system.

“We are pleased to be able to support this unique site to provide a low carbon way to heat both its historic and new buildings.”

The most effective heat pump solution for the Greenmeadow site was deemed to be a horizontal ‘slinky’ system, which comprises 30 trenches and 9,000m of pipework, serving a new plant room in the farmhouse.

David Leech, Strategic Director for Adults and Communities at Torfaen Council

“Residents passing the site will have spotted the impact of the heat pump on the paddocks, but the project has been a vital part of making the farm sustainable for the long-term.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Welsh Government for supporting the project and alongside the new facilities on the farm, we’re proud to have a transformation that has a fantastic new visitor experience and a reduced carbon footprint.”

Due to the complexity of the heat pump solution and renovating 18th century farm buildings, the re-opening of the farm is now set for the end of the summer.